Prince Harry interviews Obama about post-presidential life

Prince Harry has interviewed former US president Barack Obama as part of his role as guest editor of BBC Radio 4's Today program.

Undated handout photo issued by Kensington Palace courtesy of the Obama Foundation of Prince Harry (right) as he interviews former US President Barack Obama (left) as part of his guest editorship of BBC Radio 4's Today programme which is to be broadcast.

Photo issued by Kensington Palace courtesy of the Obama Foundation of Prince Harry (right) as he interviews former US President Barack Obama (pictured left). Source: Kensington Palace courtesy of The Obama Foundation

Prince Harry has interviewed Barack Obama for BBC Radio 4's Today program, which will air on December 27.

The interview is part of Harry's guest editorship of the program and features the former US president sharing his memories of the day he left office and his hopes for his post-presidential life.

Kensington Palace said the interview was recorded in Toronto in September during the Invictus Games and will be broadcast on December 27.

Today tweeted a video clip showing Harry and Obama warming up ahead of the chat, with the former president joking: "Do I need a British accent?"

Barack Obama and Prince Harry watch wheelchair basketball at the Pan Am Sports Centre at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada.
Barack Obama and Prince Harry watch wheelchair basketball at the Pan Am Sports Centre at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. Source: AAP


Harry told his interviewee that if he used long pauses between answers he would probably get "the face".

When Harry showed him what he meant, Obama said: "I don't want to see that face."

Twiddling a pen, Harry tells Obama: "You're excited about this, I'm nervous about this, that's what's quite funny."

Obama replies: "I'll interview you if you want."

But Harry was not keen and said: "No, no, let's keep it this way."



The palace said the conversation features Obama talking about his plans to focus on cultivating the next generation of leadership through the Obama Foundation.

Harry, who was recently at the inaugural summit of the Obama Foundation in Chicago, has forged a strong bond with the Obamas through his work with servicemen and his trips to America.

At this year's Invictus Games, Obama reportedly quizzed Harry on his romance with Meghan Markle as they watched the wheelchair basketball.

Obama was among those to congratulate Harry and Meghan on their engagement, writing on Twitter: "Michelle and I are delighted to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their engagement.

"We wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness together."

The palace said the full interview will be made available as a podcast.


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world